MARIA BOURNE | 37

President And Ceo

Denali Universal Services

Hometown: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia

Current City: Anchorage

Education: Bachelor of Business Administration, accounting minor in Spanish language, UAA; Certified Public Accountant

Community Work: I always welcome an opportunity to support our community through volunteering, fundraising or donating. Currently, I’m serving on the Audit Committee for Girls Scouts of Alaska, and have for the past eight years.

Family: Husband of 13 years, Clayton Bourne; son, Maxim (8); daughter, Mila Bourne (3); multiple family pets

What is your favorite place in Alaska and why?: Our family cabin in Big Lake: This is our happy place, where our family comes together to relax, play and reconnect. Many memories are made and shared with family and friends.

Name the person you respect and why: My parents, who worked tirelessly to raise our family, give us the best opportunities in life and shower us with lovedespite very challenging circumstances.

What is your favorite pastime or hobby away from work?: I love spending time outdoors, hiking, skiing and fishing. I also enjoy a good book or a podcast.

What was your first job?: Cleaning my grandparents’ bed-and-breakfast during summer breaks.

What has been your most rewarding community service?: I had many, but for me, volunteering for organizations that support our youth is most rewarding, as I believe every child should be loved and cared for.

In your professional life, what has been a project or achievement you have found to be the most fulfilling?: The most fulfilling projects were the ones that forced me to change, to face and overcome the challenges and fears. My current role as a President and

CEO of Denali Universal Services has been the most challenging and fulfilling at the same time, as I had to lead through the unprecedented times over the last three years. Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give on maintaining a good work-life balance?: You cannot “have it all,” but you can and should learn how to be flexible and lean into whatever the priority is at that time: some days it’s your career, some days it’s your family and some days it’s yourself. Knowing how and when to shift between competing priorities is critical in finding this delicate balance.